What's in Your Backpack, Russell Simmons?

Blackberry

A Blackberry is a handy little device for keeping on top of and running a multi-million dollar empire, so Russell naturally owns one.

iPad

Russell really digs the new Apple iPad. According to his assistant, he can read the Global Grind all day long on it.

Yankees Hat

As a proud New Yorker, Russell always has a Yankees hat with him. For no superstitious reasons besides showing support for a team he loves.

Yoga Mat

Since becoming a vegan in 1998, Russell routinely practices yoga and Ahimsa – a form of Buddhism that prohibits the killing or injuring of living beings, hence his vegan lifestyle.

Prayer beads

A deeply spiritual man, Russell uses his prayer beads every single day.

More on Russell Simmons

Russell Wendell Simmons (born October 4, 1957) is an American entrepreneur, the co-founder, with Rick Rubin, of the pioneering hip-hop label Def Jam, and creator of numerous clothing fashion lines including Phat Farm.

Russell Simmons is the younger brother of Daniel Simmons, Jr., and he is the older brother of Rev. Joseph Simmons, better known as “Run” of Run-DMC.

Russell Simmons has been vegan since 1998, and advocates the adoption of practicing Ahimsa and veganism citing animal rights along with the environmental and health benefits.

Since May 2005 he has been a contributing blogger at The Huffington Post.

In January 2009 he was named Editor-In-Chief of GlobalGrind.com: The World According To Hip-Hop.

Russell Simmons is the fourth richest figure in hip-hop, having a net-worth estimate of $340 million.

Read more on his biography.

Peek into more backpacks under our What’s In Your Backpack? series.